Children are the greatest gift life can bring, changing our lives forever and introducing us to an unconditional love that is found nowhere else…

That being said, pregnancy can also be a nightmare! It is a time of radical change, and not always for the good. In the space of a short time, a woman’s body changes in many ways, often totally unexpectedly.

Pregnancy affects everyone differently, with some women breezing through with no problems, while others struggle with their appearance so much, it genuinely makes them think about having a second child.
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If you’re one of the unlucky ones who gets the short end of the stick, here are three things you may have to prepare for…

Changes to your skin

You’ve probably heard about the special ‘glow’ pregnant women give off, and it’s one of the few benefits to your skin at this time. The reason for the pregnancy glow is mainly due to hormones, along with a 40% increase in blood volume making the skin luminous. The weight gain also associated with pregnancy helps plump out those wrinkles, tightening the skin and giving a smoother complexion.

Unfortunately, there is also plenty of ways your skin can change for the worse. The same hormones which give you a glow can also cause melasma, which appears as large, dark skin patches on the face. This is more commonly known as the “mask of pregnancy”, and fortunately is only temporary, usually appearing in the third trimester and disappearing after the baby is born.

The change in hormones also causes an increase in oil production, resulting in breakouts for some women. If you do suffer from acne, then be careful about which products you use, as some of the chemicals can be harmful to unborn children.

Moles can grow unexpectedly whilst pregnant, and existing ones can get bigger or change shape. While usually this is nothing to worry about, it’s still always a good idea to have them checked out by a specialist. Skin tags are also not uncommon in pregnant women, due to elevated levels of oestrogen and progesterone, stimulating the growth of the skin’s outer layers.

Hair, hair everywhere!

Pregnant women will notice that their hair will be thicker with more volume, and that’s because the oestrogen and progesterone hormones not only stimulate your skin, but also your hair and nails.

Usually, your hair has 3-year cycle of growing, resting and then gradually shedding. During pregnancy, the extra hormones stimulate the resting phase, meaning your hair stays in longer, making it fuller and more luxurious. But enjoy it while it lasts! The effects vanish after birth, and as any new mother will tell you, your shower drain is going to be clogged up pretty soon!
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While pregnancy gives you fuller, thicker hair on your head, unfortunately, it also gives you fuller, thicker hair everywhere else! Expect excess hair on your face, arms, legs and bikini line whilst pregnant, with hair even coarser than you’re used to. But again, it’s temporary, so don’t panic.

Varicose veins

The extra 40% blood volume your body produces is also responsible for one of the biggest medical problems associated with pregnancy. Over a quarter of pregnant women will develop varicose veins, leading to unsightly, itchy protruding veins in their legs.

The extra blood, along with the increase hormones, dilate the veins and vessels in the legs, causing blood to pool thanks to gravity. Many women notice the gradual disappearance of varicose veins between six and twelve weeks after delivery, as the hormonal changes of pregnancy gradually resolve. However, for some people the condition never fully goes away, or comes back worse with each additional pregnancy.

How we can help expectant mothers

Here at the Vein and Skin clinic, we can help with most of the above problems associated with pregnancy.
If your skin breaks out, we have the latest acne treatments available, including a wide range of professional topical creams and cleansers. If you’d rather stay away from pharmaceuticals, our Omnilux and iClear Blue Light treatment uses the latest LED therapy to help clear up skin.

Unwanted hair growth is easily treatable here with us. We use the new LightSheer DUET by Lumenis, enabling permanent hair reduction from all areas of the body. This advanced laser technology reduces pain while increasing efficiency, enabling fast and comfortable treatments for patients and practitioners alike.

And of course, the Vein and Skin Clinic are experts when it comes to varicose veins, and are proud to be at the forefront of treatment here in New Zealand. Dr Henryk Poczwa, first introduced the revolutionary laser treatment of varicose veins into New Zealand in 2002, and since then we have successfully treated over 3000 cases, including some of the largest varicose veins seen this side of the world.
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If you’re pregnant or planning on it, and are worried about some of the changes your appearance might go through, why not book a consultation with us to discuss some of your options. Our friendly and experienced medical staff will be happy to talk to you about our treatments and how we can help.

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Dr Poczwa pioneered and performed the first EVLA (Endovenous Laser Ablation) treatment of large varicose veins in New Zealand in 2002. He has successfully treated well over 1000 cases including some of the largest varicose veins seen in this hemisphere.